Caring for a Dental Crown

Posted on 1/15/2017 by Dr. Justin Lai

If you recently had a dental crown, it is important that you know how to properly care for it. The better you are able to care for your crown from the beginning, the longer the crown should last. You are going to need to care for your crown in much the same way you would the rest of your teeth.

You need to brush your teeth two times a day, floss one time each day, and make sure you visit your regular dentist every six months like clockwork. However, you also need to pay attention to the crown now and again.

Crowns Are Slightly Different Than Regular Teeth

While a crown is basically a cap, it is slightly different than your standard teeth, or even those with fillings. Crowns can be placed for a number of reasons. If they are to hold a bridge in place, then the teeth under the crown likely did not have a root canal. That means, you still have the nerve inside that tooth. If it begins to hurt, you need to say something to your dentist right away.

If the crown is capping a tooth that had a root canal, the tooth should not have any pain. In this case, you need to pay attention to the teeth that surround the crown. Crowns should hit in the same way that your teeth do, so if you notice that it is sitting up a bit, or hits before the rest of your teeth when you chew, go in and speak with your dentist. This just needs a simple adjustment to correct.

If you notice your crown feels loose, smells, hurts, or just feels off, go in and see your dentist right away. Just because your tooth has a crown, doesn't mean it can't get the same problems every other tooth can.

General and Cosmetic Dentistry

From crowns and bridges to periodontal care and extractions, Justin Lai, DDS offers a wide range of general and cosmetic dental treatments. If you have a dental concern, Dr. Lai will have a solution.

Edge Dental is equipped with digital x-rays, intra-oral cameras and 3-dimensional cone beam imaging to gain the best possible information about patient dental health. This enables Dr. Lai to view teeth, gum tissue and surrounding bone structures in high resolution from all angles. Based on findings, treatment plans are designed to optimize oral health with minimally invasive procedures.